The appearance, in Colbert's mind, was Obama's attempt to recapture the hearts and minds of young people, a key demographic that helped carry then-Senator Obama to victory in the 2008 presidential contest.

Back then, Colbert said, Obama "had the kids in the palm of his hand." But since then, Colbert joked, "Mister Fresh-Faced Hopey-Changey" has "become Old Grey-Hair Grandpa [who] didn't close Gitmo" in the eyes of young voters.